2022 NBA Finals odds: Suns-Heat matchup remains favored, but Warriors' Steph Curry leads for Finals MVP

For some very odd reason, there are no NBA playoff games tonight – and it's not like any of the conference semifinal series are even close to being finished. Apparently, ESPN/ABC/Disney preferred to have Game 3s of Celtics-Bucks and Grizzlies-Warriors played on Saturday instead of Thursday. Here's a quick breakdown of updated NBA title odds at Caesars Sportsbook.

The Phoenix Suns have yet to win an NBA title, losing in the Finals all three trips and in six games each time. Chris Paul is on the very short list of best players in history to never win a ring, but with a 2-0 lead over Dallas in the West semifinals, the Suns are -120 to win the West and +200 favorites to win it all.

When Devin Booker went down injured and it looked like Phoenix might be in some trouble in Round 1 against New Orleans, the Suns had slipped to second favorites for both, but Booker returned in Game 6 and all is well now. The All-Star was terrific in the Suns' 129-109 Game 2 win over the Mavs on Wednesday with 30 points and 5-for-8 from deep. The Suns shot 64.5 percent from the field in their Game 2 win, the highest percentage in franchise postseason history.

Golden State is dealing with its own injury issue as guard Gary Payton II is probably out at least the rest of the West playoffs with a fractured elbow suffered on a flagrant foul by the Grizzlies' Dillon Brooks in Game 2 of their series Tuesday. Payton doesn't offer much offensively, but he's a defensive stud just like his Hall of Fame dad was. Payton might be back if the Dubs reach the Finals. They are +160 to win the West and +340 second favorites for the NBA championship.

The Miami Heat have had little trouble taking the first two games of their Eastern Conference semifinal series vs. the 76ers, who were without Joel Embiid. The Heat are 16-0 all-time when leading a best-of-seven series 2-0, the most series wins without a loss all-time. Miami is a +135 favorite in the East and +450 third favorite for the NBA title.

Keep in mind that Phoenix has home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Miami would have it in the Finals against anyone but the Suns or Grizzlies. Golden State would have it against anyone but the Heat.

Boston is a +185 second favorite in the East and +500 fourth favorite to win it all. The Celtics are short dogs, though, for Game 3 of their series in Milwaukee on Saturday. The Bucks probably would be East favorites if Khris Middleton were healthy but are +280 third favorites. Middleton for sure will miss the entire Celtics series.

For NBA Finals MVP, Steph Curry is the +350 favorite followed by Booker (+400), Boston's Jayson Tatum (+550) and Miami's Jimmy Butler (+550), Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo (+650) and Paul (+700). There's no one else below +2000. 

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